Research & Development Senior Chemist – Colour Cosmetics & Skincare

Scarborough, ON

Our company has inspired the industry with our award-winning cosmetics services since 2004. We embrace research and innovation - ceaselessly bringing advanced cosmeceutical technologies and ingredients into our creation.

We take pride in our innovation, expertise, and excellence in creating the finest cosmetic formulas and packaging solutions for our clients. We partner with the world’s top leading cosmetics companies in providing full integrated turnkey solutions. We value and respect individuality and personal initiative where all employees can develop, grow, and achieve their career goals.

Join us, and be the sparkle of our team!

Job Title: Research & Development Senior Chemist – Colour Cosmetics & Skincare

Department: Research & Development (R&D)

Wage Category: Annual Salary with Benefits

Report to: VP of R&I

Location: Milner Ave, Scarborough, ON M1S 4G7

Salary: $70,000 to $75,000 per annum

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Formulation Development & Technical Expertise

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of colour cosmetics and skincare formulations, with a primary focus on liquid foundations, concealers, and emulsion-based skincare products with and without SPF.
• Demonstrate strong technical knowledge of emulsion formula architecture, including oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) systems, emulsifier selection, rheology modification, polymer systems, and stabilization technologies.
• Develop emulsion-based skincare formulations, including creams, lotions, primers, and hybrid skincare-makeup products, with a focus on texture, moisturization, skin feel, stability, and compatibility with active ingredients.
• Apply scientific principles and practical formulation experience to select appropriate raw materials, processing methods, and manufacturing parameters for new product development and formula improvement 

2. Innovation, Optimization & Commercialization

• Translate customer briefs, marketing concepts, consumer insights, and market trends into innovative, technically feasible, and commercially viable formulations.
• Innovate and improve existing formulas to enhance product performance, stability, aesthetics, sensory experience, and cost effectiveness.
• Develop formulations that meet customer expectations, internal quality standards, performance specifications, cost targets, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support the successful conversion of laboratory developments into commercial orders through effective technical communication, timely sample delivery, and resolution of formulation challenges.

3. Regulatory Compliance & Raw Material Knowledge

• Ensure formulations are developed in accordance with applicable cosmetic regulatory requirements and customer-specific compliance standards.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant regulations and restrictions, including EU cosmetics regulations, Health Canada, US FDA requirements, China cosmetic regulations, REACH, ECHA requirements, CMR restrictions, CITES, Prop 65, microplastics restrictions, GMO labelling, heavy metal restrictions, and other applicable market requirements.
• Evaluate raw material suitability, ingredient restrictions, product claims, and formulation compliance in collaboration with regulatory and quality teams.
• Identify potential regulatory risks during formulation development and recommend suitable alternatives when ingredients or formulation approaches do not meet target-market requirements.

4. Scale-Up, Manufacturing & Technical Troubleshooting

• Collaborate closely with Production, Planning, Quality Assurance, and other relevant teams to ensure successful transfer of formulations from laboratory batches to pilot-scale and full-scale manufacturing.
• Independently supervise pilot batches and support commercial production runs, ensuring that manufacturing parameters, processing sequences, and product quality are maintained.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing challenges related to emulsification, heating and cooling profiles, homogenization, mixing, pigment dispersion, viscosity development, batch uniformity, and product stability.
• Recommend corrective measures and optimize processing conditions to resolve production issues and improve manufacturing efficiency, reproducibility, and product quality.
• Provide technical guidance on batch manufacturing procedures, process controls, and scale-up considerations to minimize deviations and ensure consistent finished-product performance.

5. Technical Leadership & Training

• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and hands-on training to junior chemists in formulation development, laboratory practices, experimental design, stability testing, documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and implement structured training plans to build junior chemists' technical knowledge, laboratory proficiency, and independent working capabilities within an initial six-month training period.
• Assess junior chemists' competency through practical assignments, project execution, documentation reviews, and technical evaluations.
• Recommend junior chemists for independent project assignments upon demonstrating the required competency, subject to review by the R&D Project Management Team.
• Promote good laboratory practices, scientific problem-solving, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement within the R&D team.

6. Research & Development Tax Credit Projects

• Contribute to the planning, execution, documentation, and technical reporting of approximately two Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) projects annually, subject to business priorities.
• Maintain appropriate experimental records, hypotheses, test results, technical challenges, and conclusions to support the identification and documentation of eligible R&D activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from a recognized University or equivalent preferred
• 5+ years of experience in a related manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience in colour matching for colour cosmetics is an asset, with a strong emphasis on emulsion formulation.
• Self-starter, self-motivated with proactive, and process ownership focus
• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced team environment
• Strong interpersonal & problem-solving skills and commitment to providing a high standard of quality work
• Ability to make and meet commitments/deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

We care for our employees:

• Convenient public transit (bus stop right outside the facility)
• On-site free parking
• On-site gym
• Employee health benefits
• Corporate discount program
• Group Retirement Saving Plan / Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan (GRSP/DPSP)

Please note: Only those selected for an interview will be contacted, and applicants who do not receive a response within a reasonable timeframe may assume their application was unsuccessful. Candidates who participate in an interview will be informed within 45 days of the interview, or the final interview if applicable, as to whether a hiring decision has been made, in accordance with Ontario legislation. 

 We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in joining our company and look forward to the opportunity of welcoming dedicated talent to our team.

This posting represents an existing vacancy within our organization.

We affirm that our hiring process, including candidate screening, evaluation, and selection, does not involve the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or automated decision-making tools. 

Our company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination.  Accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities during all stages of the recruitment process.